Earlier this year, in November 2025 SNAP food benefits were suspended due to the ongoing government shutdown. This will affected more than 444,000 Minnesotans, including thousands of children and caregivers who rely on these benefits for daily meals.
At the same time, the state also froze payments to 14 Medicaid-funded programs while investigating potential fraud. These freezes impacted a wide range of health and support services, including:
- Mental and behavioral health care
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Home and community-based services
These crises have had an immediate effect on families already struggling to meet basic needs. Families Rising stands with every parent, grandparent, caregiver, and young person facing uncertainty right now.
How to get help
Families are not alone – help is still available. We’ve compiled a list of community food pantries, meal programs, and free and low-cost health clinics across Minnesota. Share this information with families, advocates, and service providers.
Free clinics
- St. Mary’s Health Clinics
- Appointment info and eligibility for uninsured, coverage in metro counties.
- Community-University Health Care Center (CUHCC)
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and mental health care in Minneapolis.
- Phillips Neighborhood Clinic
- Free care, open evenings, multilingual staff.
- Cedar Riverside People’s Center
- Full primary care, affordable and sliding scale options, multicultural staff.
- HOPE Clinic
- A free, student-run clinic that is under the supervision of licensed physicians and pharmacists.
Food pantries
- Central Avenue Salvation Army (Minneapolis)
- NE Minneapolis. Basic groceries and support.
- Payne Avenue Salvation Army (St. Paul)
- Eastside St. Paul. Food shelf services.
- Harbor Light Center (Minneapolis)
- Shelter, meals, pantry, and additional services.
- Barnesville Area Food Pantry (Western MN)
- Alternate listing
- Open Mondays, call to confirm hours.
Statewide directories
- MN Low-Cost Health Care Directory: Search or filter by county for free clinics.
- Hunger Solutions Minnesota: Location-based food shelf finder.
- Help Me Connect Minnesota: Clinics, pantries, and other social service support.
Frequently asked questions
Are SNAP recipients losing eligibility?
- No. There are no changes to SNAP eligibility or program rules at this time.
Are DSS offices still open?
- Yes. DSS offices are fully operational. Staff are available to accept new applications, process renewals, and answer questions from customers and partners.
Can SNAP recipients still use their EBT cards?
- Yes. Current balances – from October benefits or previous months — remaining on EBT cards remain available for recipients to use.
Will SNAP retailers be able to take SNAP benefits?
- Currently, SNAP authorized retailers have not been de-authorized. USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has indicated states can expect further guidance around the authorizations given to retailers should the shutdown continue.
Families Rising will continue to share updates as this situation evolves. Together, we can make sure no family is left behind.